Ladder rack system

ABSTRACT

A ladder rack device which comprises a frame mounted to a vehicle roof, the frame having at least first and second ladder retaining members and a moveable arm having a proximal and a distal end, the first ladder retaining member being mounted on the proximal end of the moveable arm, a lifting member being provided and having a first end connected at a distal end of the arm and a second end connected to the frame, the lifting member being arranged to lift the distal end of the arm and move the proximal end in an outboard direction with respect to the vehicle, the arrangement being such that the distal end of the arm can pivotably rotate and permit the arm to extend downwardly adjacent the vehicle side while a ladder retaining member thereon will be retained in a secure position. The device is relatively simple and has few moving parts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ladder rack system and moreparticularly, relates to a ladder rack system suited for use on the topof a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ladders are carried by many service vehicles wherein the ladders areneeded for use by electricians, construction workers, etc. Typical ofsuch vehicles are those operated by the telephone company, the gascompany, cable and television companies, etc. The ladders are requiredfor gaining access to various facilities which are typically mounted onpoles or some other structure.

For many years, the ladders were carried on top of the vehicles on anordinary roof rack as this was considered the most practical option.However, these vehicles have become higher and with the increasingweight of some ladders, it becomes extremely difficult and dangerous toreach and remove the ladders from the vehicle top.

Numerous devices have been developed and used for receiving and securelystoring ladders for stationary storage and/or for transportation. Thesedevices must address a number of considerations which are unique tostoring and securing ladders. Thus, ladders are bulky, of a considerablelength and relatively heavy.

Generally, there are choices as to the particular design and placementof the ladder rack storage system. Thus, with the increased height ofsome vehicles, it has been proposed in the art to store the ladder onthe side of the vehicle. However, unless properly designed, theaesthetics and other problems lead many corporations to veto such adesign. Irrespective of the placement of the rack, the rack must provideready access to the ladder as often only one person is trying tomanipulate a heavy and/or long ladder onto the ladder rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ladder rack whichcan be placed on the top of a vehicle and which ladder rack is bothsimple to use, relatively inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aladder rack device comprising a frame designed to be mounted to avehicle roof, the frame having mounted thereon at least first and secondladder retaining members, a moveable arm having a proximal end and adistal end, the first ladder retaining member being mounted on theproximal end of the moveable arm, a lifting member having a first endconnected proximate a distal end of the arm and a second end connectedto the frame, the lifting member being designed to lift the distal endof the arm and move the proximal end in an outboard direction withrespect to the vehicle, the arrangement being such that the distal endof the arm can pivotably rotate and permit the arm to extend downwardlyadjacent a vehicle side while a ladder mounted thereon will be retainedin a secure position by the second ladder retaining member.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an improvement in a vehicle having a ladder rack device mountedto the vehicle roof, the improvement comprising a frame secured to thevehicle roof, the frame having mounted thereon at least first and secondladder retaining members, a moveable arm having a proximal end and adistal end, the first ladder retaining member being mounted on theproximal end of the moveable arm, a lifting member having a first endconnected proximate a distal end of the arm and a second end connectedto the frame, the lifting member being designed to lift the distal endof the arm and move the proximal end in an outboard direction withrespect to the vehicle, the arrangement being such that the distal endof the arm can pivotably rotate and permit the arm to extend downwardlyadjacent a vehicle side while the ladder mounted thereon will beretained in a secure position by the ladder retaining member.

The ladder rack device of the present invention, as aforementioned, isdesigned to be connected to a vehicle roof and to this end, suitableattaching members known in the art may be utilized. Actually, the methodof attachment may vary depending upon the particular vehicle, etc. Thus,the ladder rack device of the present invention could be mounteddirectly on a vehicle roof or alternatively, if the vehicle already hasa roof rack arrangement, an adaptation for mounting to the existing roofrack may be utilized as is known in the art.

The ladder rack device of the present invention provides an arrangementwherein only one end of the ladder is lowered. This results in a farless complicated and less expensive system than is known in the art. Atthe same time, the lowering of one end is sufficient to greatly simplifythe placing of and removal of the ladder from the device.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there may be provided aladder rack device which is capable of storing two ladders, one on eachside of the vehicle. In this regard, the arrangement for providing forthe storage of two ladders would utilize the same frame components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made tothe accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder rack system according to thepresent invention when the ladder rack is in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the storage of a laddertherein, the ladder being shown in outline;

FIG. 3 is a side view as seen from the bottom of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view illustrating the first step in the operationto lower the ladder;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 8 is an illustration similar to FIG. 6 showing a further sequencein the movement of the ladder storage device;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating the complete discharge of theladder; and

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference charactersthereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a portion of a ladder racksystem and which ladder rack system is generally designated by referencenumeral 10.

Ladder rack system 10 includes a frame which is constituted by a pair oflongitudinally extending frame members 12 and 14 which are designed toextend longitudinally of a vehicle body. There are also provided threetransverse frame members, transverse frame members 16 and 18 beinglocated at opposed ends of the frame and a further transverse framemember 19 located intermediately thereof.

The frame is secured to the roof of the vehicle by means of a pluralityof attaching members 20 which extend downwardly from transverse framemembers 16 and 18.

The ladder rack system includes a lifting arm 22, lifting arm 22 havinga lifting arm distal end 24 and a lifting arm proximal end 26. Mountedat lifting arm proximal end 26 is a first ladder retaining member 28which is of a generally U-shaped configuration and has a first leg 30secured to lifting arm 28, a base 32, and a second leg 34. Stoppers 25are provided on lifting arm 18 and transverse frame member 16 tomaintain a ladder in a storage position.

At the other end of the device, there is provided a second ladderretaining member 21 which is also of a U-shaped configuration and whichis secured to transverse frame member 18.

A third ladder retaining member 23 is mounted on transverse frame member19. In this regard, while ladder retaining members 28 and 21 are mountedin a longitudinal line which is generally parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the vehicle, ladder retaining member 23 is slightly inboard ofsuch a longitudinal line for reasons which will become apparenthereinbelow.

Lifting arm 22 fits within a guide element 36 mounted on firsttransverse frame member 16 for reasons which will become apparenthereinbelow.

A rotatable rod 38 is rotatably journaled in a pair of mounting brackets40 and 42 which are secured to the underside of transverse frame members16 and 19 respectively.

Mounted at distal end 24 of lifting arm 22 are first and secondactuators 44 and 46. Each of actuators 44, 46 is pivotably secured tothe distal end of lifting arm 22 and at the other end thereof, aresecured to rotatable rod 38.

At one end of rotatable rod 38, there is provided a handle generallydesignated by reference numeral 48 and which handle can be utilized tomanually rotate rotatable rod 38.

For ease of illustration, applicant is showing a single ladder as may beutilized with the present invention. It will be understood that normallyan extension ladder would be employed. The ladder generally designatedby reference numeral 50 includes, in a conventional manner, parallelrails 52 with rungs 54 extending therebetween.

The sequence of the opening of the ladder storage device to remove theladder therefrom is shown in FIGS. 3 through 11. In this regard, handle48 is rotated as shown by arrow 56. This results in the pivoting offirst and second actuators 44, 46 which are connected to the distal endof lifting arm 22. Lifting arm 22 is then raised and the proximal end 26thereof will extend outboard of the vehicle and downwardly. The ladderis retained in position by third ladder retaining member 23 which willengage the inner side of rail 52 and also one of the rungs 54 to preventmovement of the ladder 50. Once one end of the ladder has been lowered,it is easy to remove from the rack by a lifting motion.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the opposite side of the vehicle, there may beprovided an arrangement for retaining a second ladder. As the devicewould be substantially symetrical about a longitudinal line, the secondladder retaining arrangement is described herein.

It will be understood that the above described embodiments are forpurposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A ladder rack device comprising a frame designed to be mounted to avehicle roof, said frame having mounted thereon at least first andsecond ladder retaining members, a moveable arm having a proximal endand a distal end, said first ladder retaining member being mounted onsaid proximal end of said moveable arm, a lifting member having a firstend connected proximate a distal end of said arm and a second endconnected to said frame, said lifting member being designed to lift saiddistal end of said arm and move said proximal end in an outboarddirection with respect to said vehicle, the arrangement being such thatthe distal end of said arm can pivotably rotate and permit said arm toextend downwardly adjacent a vehicle side while a ladder mounted thereonwill be retained in a secure position by said second ladder retainingmember.
 2. The ladder rack device of claim 1 wherein said first ladderretaining member is located at a first end of said frame, said secondladder retaining member being mounted at a second end of said frame, andfurther including a third ladder retaining member intermediate saidfirst and second ladder retaining members.
 3. The ladder rack device ofclaim 1 wherein both said first and said second ladder retaining membershave a generally U-shaped configuration.
 4. The ladder rack device ofclaim 1 further including a rod rotatably journaled in said frame, saidlifting member being secured to said rod.
 5. The ladder rack device ofclaim 4 further including a handle secured to said rod.
 6. The ladderrack device of claim 2 wherein said frame comprises first and secondlongitudinally extending members substantially parallel to the vehiclelongitudinal axis, and free transverse members extending between saidlongitudinally extending members.
 7. The ladder rack device of claim 6wherein said first, second and third ladder retaining members are eachattached to a respective one of said transversely extending framemembers.
 8. The ladder rack device of claim 1 further includingattaching means for securing said device to the vehicle roof.
 9. Theladder rack device of claim 7 wherein said first and second ladderretaining members are located in a longitudinally extending linesubstantially parallel to the longitudinal vehicle axis and said thirdladder retaining member is located inwardly of said longitudinallyextending line.
 10. In a vehicle having a ladder rack device mounted ona roof thereof, the improvement wherein said ladder rack devicecomprises a frame secured to said vehicle roof, said frame havingmounted thereon at least first and second ladder retaining members, amoveable arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said first ladderretaining member being mounted on said proximal end of said moveablearm, a lifting member having a first end connected proximate a distalend of said arm and a second end connected to said frame, said liftingmember being designed to lift said distal end of said arm and move saidproximal end in an outboard direction with respect to said vehicle, thearrangement being such that the distal end of said arm can pivotablyrotate and permit said arm to extend downwardly adjacent a vehicle sidewhile the ladder mounted thereon will be retained in a secure positionby said ladder retaining member.
 11. The improvement of claim 10 whereinsaid first ladder retaining member is located at a first end of saidframe, said second ladder retaining member being mounted at a second endof said frame, and further including a third ladder retaining memberintermediate said first and second ladder retaining members.